We provide sheltered housing to over 2500 tenants in over 30 complexes across the city. The complexes vary in size and type, and all of them have a Sheltered Housing Warden Service.
The Sheltered Housing Wardens are trained professionals who co-ordinate the day-to-day running of the sheltered housing complex and help tenants to organise social activities and events.
When are the Wardens on duty?
- Wardens are on duty in all complexes every day of the week.
- Their usual working hours are between 8.00 in the morning and 2.30 in the afternoon but they may be on duty at selected times outside these core hours.
- The Community Alarm Service is available for emergencies at all other times.
Is there a cost for the Sheltered Housing Warden Service?
- A service charge is added to your weekly rent to cover the cost of running the warden service, communal services, fire alarms and laundries etc.
- If you become a sheltered tenant, you will be told before you sign your tenancy agreement how much rent and service charge is due. If you are in receipt of full Housing Benefit you will not have to pay the service charge.
- The Sheltered Housing Warden Service is a Housing Support Service which is regulated by the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care.
- The Commission regulates and monitors care services in Scotland.
The role of the Warden
The Warden's role is to support you to live independently with the minimum of intrusion. Here are some examples of ways the Wardens achieve this:
- Mat checks
- Electronic sensors in your house trigger a response in the Warden's office when activated. If the sensor does not trigger, this could mean something is wrong and the Wardens will try to contact you.
- Intercom
- There are intercom boxes in all sheltered houses. The Wardens will use the intercom to contact you.
- Home visits
- The Wardens will agree with you how frequently they should visit to check on you.
- Observation
- Whether it's a knock at the door, a hello when you’re out and about or a chat in the lounge, the wardens will always keep in touch with you.
- The Warden’s can also help you with a range of things including:
- Filling in forms
- Dealing with correspondence
- Contacting Health and Social Work services on your behalf
- Other activities related to your welfare and tenancy issues
Tenant Warden Meetings
- The Wardens hold regular meetings with tenants so that you can ask questions, get information about services, give your views and highlight any matters that you think need to be discussed.
Comfort Funds
- To help pay for activities at the complex tenants have money in a Comfort Fund. Monies raised from fundraising activities are added to the fund. The Wardens administer the fund on behalf of tenants, who have a say in how the money is spent.
Laundries
- Every complex has washing machines and dryers in a laundry for your use. Home Care staff or you family may use the machines to do your washing. There is no charge for tenants to use the washing machines and dryers, although detergent is extra.
Do the Wardens provide personal care?
- No, the Wardens are not responsible for providing regular personal care. This service can be provided by the Social Work Department. Wardens may provide personal care in an emergency.
Contact details:
- Housing Services Unit, West District Housing Office, 3 Sinclair Street, Lochee Dundee DD2 3BE. Tel: 307350 Map
- Community Alarm Service/ Home Care Service, Social Work Access Team Unit 7, Nethergate Business Centre, Dundee DD1 4ER. Tel: 435106 or 435107 Map
- Care Commission, Central East Office, Compass House, 11 Riverside Drive, Dundee DD1 4NY. Tel: 207200 Map